Shloka 5

Mahākauśika Mantra, Nirṛti Bali, and Mahānavamī Victory-Rites

Devanagari script

वाराही चैव माहेन्द्री चामुण्डा चण्डिका तथा / जयन्ती मङ्गला काली भद्रकाली कपालिनी

Transliteration

vārāhī caiva māhendrī cāmuṇḍā caṇḍikā tathā / jayantī maṅgalā kālī bhadrakālī kapālinī

Translation

వారాహీ, మాహేంద్రి, చాముండ, చండిక; అలాగే జయంతీ, మంగళా, కాళీ, భద్రకాళీ, కపాలినీ.

Word by Word

• वाराही: Vārāhī
• वाराही: Karta (Apposition/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वाराही (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; देवीनाम्-नाम

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-अव्ययम्

• एव: indeed
• एव: Sambandha (Discourse particle/निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-निपातः

• माहेन्द्री: Māhendrī
• माहेन्द्री: Karta (Apposition/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: माहेन्द्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; देवीनाम्-नाम

• चामुण्डा: Cāmuṇḍā
• चामुण्डा: Karta (Apposition/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चामुण्डा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; देवीनाम्-नाम

• चण्डिका: Caṇḍikā
• चण्डिका: Karta (Apposition/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चण्डिका (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; देवीनाम्-नाम

• तथा: and also
• तथा: Samuccaya (Coordination/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्ययम्; समुच्चयार्थक

• जयन्ती: Jayantī
• जयन्ती: Karta (Apposition/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जयन्ती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; देवीनाम्-नाम

• मङ्गला: Maṅgalā
• मङ्गला: Karta (Apposition/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मङ्गला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; देवीनाम्-नाम

• काली: Kālī
• काली: Karta (Apposition/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काली (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; देवीनाम्-नाम

• भद्रकाली: Bhadrakālī
• भद्रकाली: Karta (Apposition/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भद्र + काली (प्रातिपदिके)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समासः; स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; देवीनाम्-नाम

• कपालिनी: Kapālinī
• कपालिनी: Karta (Apposition/समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कपालिनी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; देवीनाम्-नाम

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinata-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Naming and honoring fierce forms of Devī as guardians who destroy obstacles and protect dharma.

Vedantic Theme: The same ultimate reality appears as both gentle and fierce; destruction (saṃhāra) is also a mode of cosmic balance.

Application: Use disciplined, non-sensational devotion: recite names with steadiness, pair worship with ethical restraint, and channel ‘fierce energy’ into courage and protection of the vulnerable.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: raudra

Secondary Rasa: adbhuta

Geographic Context

Type: temple/ritual ground (protective circle)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.134.4 (Mātṛkā list begins); Garuda Purana 1.134.6 (salutations and bathing offerings)

Characters & Entities

• Varahi
• Mahendri
• Chamunda
• Chandika
• Jayanti
• Mangala
• Kali
• Bhadrakali
• Kapalini

FAQs

What is the importance of listing Devi names in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a stotra-like enumeration of powerful Śakti forms, emphasizing remembrance of the Goddess in her protective and victory-bestowing aspects.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by invoking fierce and auspicious Devi forms, the text points to divine protection and inner strength—supportive themes often connected with overcoming fear and obstacles associated with death, transition, and unseen forces.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the verse as a devotional recitation (nāma-smaraṇa) to cultivate courage, auspiciousness, and disciplined conduct—especially during times of anxiety, illness, or ritual observances.